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Monthly Archives: November 2014

Mary Catherine McGhin (nee’ McNeil) was a faithful servant of God and, on Friday, November 21, 2014, surrounded by her family, she left this world and flew home, straight into the arms of Jesus.

Mary was born January 21, 1939, in Fox River Grove, IL. She was the daughter of James and Margaret McNeil and, twin sister to Margaret, with whom she was very close. About 1942, the family moved to Valparaiso, IN and on February 1, 1959, she she married William ‘LaVon’ McGhin, a SP4 in the U.S. Army, who was based nearby. About 1962, after LaVon’s discharge from the Army, they moved to his hometown of St. Mary’s, GA, where she lived out the rest of her life.

Mary was a faithful member of First Baptist Church St. Mary’s, where she served as a Deacon’s wife and sang in the choir. She loved children and also served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. Leading tender young hearts to Jesus was her strongest calling as, every one of her family members, who knew her when they were children, can attest.

A dutiful and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend; she was loving kindness personified. Her heart and her home were always open to anyone who entered her orbit, for she faithfully believed Matthew 25:40. “The king will reply, ‘Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, LaVon, and their only son, William LaVon ‘Bill’ McGhin Jr. Also by, her parents; sisters, Denise Hendrix and Marylou Stevenson; brothers Edward, William, Patrick, Walter, James and George McNeil.

Harold L. Holmes, 79, of Kingsland passed away Thursday, November 20, 2014 at the Life Care Center of Hilliard.

Born February 1, 1935 in Fairview, AL, he was the son of the late Louis B. and Ola Loyd Holmes. He had been a resident of Camden County since 2008 and had been employed with King Edward Cigar Company. He enjoyed fishing and was of the Baptist faith.

Memorial services will be held later at the Etha Baptist Churchyard Cemetery in Fairview, Alabama.

Survivors include his daughter and son in law, Kathy and Phillip Hood of Kingsland and two grandchildren, Stephanie Hood and Rachel Rose.

Robert O. Higgins, Jr., 50, of Kingsland passed away Thursday, November 20, 2014 at his residence.

Robert had been a resident of Camden County since 2008. He attended Woodbine Church of God, and enjoyed refurbishing wood, car racing, fishing and especially loved football.

Memorial services will be held at a later date in Ashland, Massachusetts.

Survivors include his mother, Florence E. Higgins of Kingsland; two sisters, Sheryl Gallant of Hollister, Mass, and Ann Marie Zambesi of St. Marys; four nieces and nephews, Christopher Zambesi, Michelle Zambesi, Matthew Gallant, and Janet DaCosta; one great nephew, Mason DaCosta. Robert was preceded in death by his father, Robert O. Higgins, Sr.

The family requests memorial contributions in memory of Robert be made to the Woodbine Church of God.

Daniel Michael Lombardo died peacefully at his computer in St Marys, Georgia on November 20, 2014 at the age of 89. He grew up in Medina, N.Y., one of six children and graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1949 after serving in the U.S. Army in the 45th Infantry Division. He fought in the Voges Forest during the invasion of South France. He was captured six days after his 19th birthday in October 1944 and was a prisoner of war in Mooseburg, Germany then at Stalag 7A. He escaped and then was recaptured until liberated by the Americans in 1945. He was awarded numerous medals in the field for his heroic efforts. Dan Lombardo owned a successful advertising agency on Madison Ave. in Manhattan until his retirement in 2001 when he resumed his lifelong avocation of oil painting. He painted abstracts, portraits, still lifes and landscapes, including one of the last standing three cornered bridges in the Adirondacks and the Sarasota and Jacksonville Symphony orchestras. He was appointed as a panelist to the New York State Council on the Arts, was President of the Brantingham Lake Association and founded the Arts Council at Brantingham Lake, gathering artists and musicians for cultural events. He divided his time between St. Marys, Georgia and Brantingham Lake, New York.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, D.Anne, his five children, Danielle Trostorff of New Orleans, LA, Shelley Garner of Tulsa, OK, Amy Lombardo of Fairfield, CT, Lisa Lombardo of Stamford, CT and Dr. James Lombardo of Layton, UT; ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at Allison Memorial Chapel in St. Marys, GA, on Tuesday, November 25, 2014, from 5 pm to 8 pm, and a memorial mass on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Star of the Sea Catholic Church, St. Marys, Georgia.

A military funeral and burial will be held in December 2014 at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia.

Allison Memorial Chapel & Funeral Home of St. Marys, GA, is in charge of arrangements.

Jean Bowman-Blevins, 75, of Kingsland, passed away Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick.

Born June 13, 1939 in Washington, DC, she was the daughter of the late Robert J. and Laura Maggia McClean. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Roger Blevins.

Mrs. Blevins had resided in Camden County for the past 8 years, and was of the Baptist faith. She was a Licensed Practical Nurse, retiring with over 20 years of service. As always she was a gregarious and fun loving person, helping others whenever she could. Never meeting a stranger, she loved her friends and family. Mrs. Blevins was a member of the Red Hat Society, loved to read, and enjoyed meeting with her friends every week at Laurel Island Clubhouse.

A Celebration of Mrs. Blevins Life will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at 2 pm, at the Laurel Island Country Club in Kingsland.

Survivors include his daughter, Tamra Edwards (Scott) of Kingsland; sisters, Judith Carmichael of Blakely, and Janette McKnight of Cairo; two grandchildren, Michelle Edwards, and Zachary Edwards; five great grandchildren, Justin Ridenour, Haley Ridenour, Isaiah Edwards, Israel Edwards, and Ezra Edwards; one great great granddaughter, Alaina Ridenour.

Allison Memorial Chapel & Funeral Home of St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.

Born December 21, 1943 in Jacksonville, FL, he was the son of the late James B. and Lillian Wainright Peeples. Mikell as a young boy worked side by side with his father on Cumberland Island. They worked for Lucy Ferguson, taking care of her livestock and her farm as well as work back on the mainland tending to their own farm. In later years, Mikell worked for Gilman Paper Company, after that he took on a permanent occupation as a commercial fisherman. He enjoyed the freedom that the river gave to him here on earth. He dearly loved his family and friends. He loved taking care of the wild deer and turkeys that he promised his father he would always do. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Kingsland, and will be deeply missed and loved. God bless everyone for your sympathy and prayers.

Troy L. Harrelson, 77, of St. Marys, passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at his residence.

Born April 28, 1937 in Conway, SC, he was the son of the late Jeff and Leila Ammons Harrelson. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Bernice Harrelson, twin sons, Ronald and Donald Harrelson, brothers, Allen Harrelson and Jimmy Harrelson, and sister, Geneva Cook.

Troy had resided in Camden County since 1974. He was a 20 year retired veteran with the United States Navy, serving his country honorably during the Vietnam Era. He was an avid fisherman and golfer and was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include his son and daughter in law Kenneth and Peggy Harrelson of St. Marys, two daughters and sons in law, Cheryl and Jack Hancock of Sandia, TX, and Cendy and Rick Perkins of Waverly; brother, Larry Harrelson (Nancy) of Marion, SC; sisters, Shirley Kaiser (Jim), and Debbie Pearson all of St. Marys; 7 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #8385 in Kingsland from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Graveside services will follow at 1 pm at Oak Grove Cemetery with Pastor Greg Bevan and Chaplain Mark Wojcik officiating, and with full Military Honors Pallbearers: Dean Ballard, Brent Green, Jeffery Harrelson, Andy Hancock, Jim Kaiser, Rick Perkins, and Kenneth Harrelson.

The family requests memorial contributions in memory of Troy Harrelson, be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8385, 150 North Camden Woods Pkwy, Kingsland, GA 31548.

Paul Henry Schoenfeld, 60, passed away in his home surrounded by his family Saturday November 8, 2014. Paul graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. He dedicated 30-years to the US Navy with the Civil Service as a wildlife biologist focusing on environmental conservation. Paul was an enthusiast of coastal living, fishing and game hunting, as well as a supporter of Ducks Unlimited and the National Rifle Association. He and Caroline, his wife of 25-years, enjoyed spending weekends with their close group of friends riding motorcycles along the Georgia-Florida coast, taking trips for various festivals and benefit rides for many charities.

Paul is preceded by his father, William August Schoenfeld, his brother, Charles “Chaz” Nicholas Schoenfeld, and his son, Daniel “Danny” Paul Schoenfeld.

Harold was a native of Jacksonville, FL. He was a 1974 graduate of Wolfson High School in Jacksonville where he played quarterback on the football team. He further attended the University of Memphis. Harold and Becky moved to Camden County, GA in 1993. Harold spent 34 years in the car business. In 2008, Harold authored a children’s book, Three Buzzards and Apple Pie, inspired by his boys. Harold enjoyed coaching children in baseball and basketball. He was an avid sports enthusiast, especially NASCAR. He also enjoyed boating and fishing. Family was most important to Harold and he loved spending time with his boys and, most recently, playing with his granddaughter, “Kamy”. Harold loved laughter, was always optimistic, and his enormous personality, humor and wealth of selflessness will be sorely missed. Harold was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #4379. He attended First Baptist and First Presbyterian Churches in St. Marys, GA. In 2011, Harold co-founded with Becky, the non-profit organization AED Alliance, Inc. This became his passion. He was extremely dedicated, and a diligent advocate for the need for automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Because of this, Harold would wish that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the AED Alliance at any branch of the Southeastern Bank or through the website: www.AEDalliance.org.

Harold is survived by his wife, Becky of 32 years, two sons, Harold IV and Cory and a stepson, James Miles. He is also survived by his mother, Melitta Cohn, two sisters Sharilyn Cohn and Jennifer King, nephew and godson, Devon Box and a granddaughter, Kamryn Drew Cohn. Harold is preceded in death by his father, Harold S. Cohn, Jr. and his youngest son, Andrew Cohn.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in St. Marys, GA, with Pastor Steve Kegley officiating, on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 1:00 PM.